Meanwhile, Inarkiev, Sokolov and Jobava lead in Budva

The European Championship in Budva has reached the penultimate round, played today. In Budva, Montenegro three players are on 7/9: Ernesto Inarkiev (RUS), Ivan Sokolov (NED) and Baadur Jobava (GEO). A brief update.

Photo © Nebojsa Baralic The 10th European Chess Championship, an 11-round Swiss, takes place in Budva, Montenegro from March 5th (day of arrival) until March 19th (day of departure) 2009. It's organized by the Montenegro Chess Federation under the auspices of the City of Budva and the European Chess Union. The European Championship is a qualification event for the next World Cup. According to FIDE regulations and the decision of the ECU Board, 22 players will qualify. The first prize is € 15,000, second is € 12,000 and the third player earns € 10,000.

We left the tournament after five rounds, when only Sjugirov, Inarkiev and Meier were on 4.5 points. On 5.5/6 Inarkiev lost to Volokitin, but then hit back with a win against Papaioannou. Yesterday the Russian GM drew with Jobava from Georgia.

Bosnian-born Dutchman Ivan Sokolov isn't playing very much anymore, and last year he had to pay the price in Sarajevo, but in Budva he's suddenly doing great again, with an undefeated plus five score. After a very bad start, Sokolov's friend Jan Timman met his first GM in round 9 and it was top seed Vallejo. The former world championship candidate won a fine game and is now on 6/9.


Update on this update: Timman lost is 10th round game with Black against Arman Pashikian and so his chances for World Cup qualification vanished. On board one, Inarkiev and Sokolov drew while Naiditsch defeated Jobava in 21 moves to join the leaders - many GMs will be on 7.5/9 after today's round, including Nyback, Guseinov, Kobalia and Fedorchuk.

Games selection

[TABLE=652] Full standings here.

Links:

• Official website
• Games in PGN